We get quite a few tornadoes in my area. Just had a discussion with a neighbor concerning the idea of climbing into a garaged car to ride the tornado out.

I mentioned that perhaps you could install anchor bolts into the concrete garage floor and then place tie down chains over the front and rear axles so that the car didn't take off and fly. Thoughts?

Sure. That sounds like a great idea!





Hmm, I parked the car right over there in the garage...

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“Whatever story you're telling, it will be more interesting if, at the end you add, "and then everything burst into flames.”
― Brian P. Cleary, You Oughta Know By Now

So, then, you knew where the tornado would strike then, eh? Brilliant!

That works all day. Deep countersinking of the eye-bolts in concrete.

I'm thinking of running the chains either through the wheels or over the axles? I don't know a lot about the strength of chains but I'm sure the chain would need to be very strong to hold the car down. Or, perhaps steel cable would work instead? Ideas??

If, the car were hit, it'd be one hell of a fight between nature and the MB. Think of what can be attached in a rush. Actually, the canvas straps over the tires, and cinching them down would go on in a hurry too. Anything is better than not being in the Benz - in the same exact spot. If your MB is new enough - turn the ignition to ON position, so the airbags might activate too.

You would be safer if you buried it.

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Jim

It just hit me. I would think that the tiedowns the U.S. Navy uses to tie down an F18 to the deck of an aircraft carrier would have the necessary strength to keep a car from going airborne.

Just for the record, the Moore, Oklahoma tornado was so powerful it actually pulled the anchor bolts out of the foundations of some of the houses! We are talking a very powerful wind force!

Does anyone here know what system the U.S. Navy uses to strap down an F18 hornet to the deck of an aircraft carrier?

I think you should also test to see if it can withstand 2x4's being shot at it at 150 mph.

https://youtu.be/pIKBbRUcAoI

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Prost!

Do you really want to be surrounded by glass in high speed winds? I know its all either tempered or laminated, but that still makes me uneasy.

Move to Alaska?
Anziani
'97 CL600 56K

I can't tell if this is serious or not. You anchor your car down and you're in a middle of a tornado, you nor the car will survive. Period. Hopefully if you go with the idea you are single so that no one else is in the car with you.

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1990 190E 3.0L

some suggestions:

Why not just get in the car and drive away from the tornado?
That way, both of you are safe.

Or-- build an underground shelter and garage and keep the car there at all timers except when driving it.

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Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

just search google images with "f5 tornado cars" and you will have a good answer.

I believe W126s used 1 mm (or less) thick sheet metal, while tornado safe rooms generally have 8x that or more.

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Prost!

Versus nothing?